Senior Director of School of Medicine Communications - UW Medicine, Strategic Communications

Job Description

UW Medicine Strategic Communications has an outstanding opportunity for a Senior Director of School of Medicine Communications to join their team.

Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, the Senior Director of School of Medicine Communications will serve as the primary communications leader for the UW School of Medicine within UW Medicine’s systemwide Strategic Communications team. This new role will design and implement a comprehensive communications strategy for the School of Medicine, bringing together internal communications, public relations, executive messaging, reputation-building and change communications in support of the School’s education, research, clinical and community service missions.

• Serve as a high-level communications strategist for the entire School of Medicine, providing counsel to leaders, developing recommendations, creating communications plans and overseeing implementation across the school and the WWAMI region.
• Assess current communications practices and design strategies, channels and infrastructure that deliver clear, transparent and timely communications for employees, faculty, trainees, learners and other key audiences.
• Advance the School of Medicine’s reputation locally, regionally and nationally by elevating excellence in medical education, scientific research, academic innovation and clinical accomplishments, while ensuring alignment with UW Medicine, WWAMI and University priorities.

• Provide direct, dotted-line and indirect leadership across a matrixed communications environment, ensuring collaboration, inclusion, accountability, quality and consistency in School of Medicine-related content.
• Partner with other leaders to align work, reduce duplication, coordinate handoffs and support the broader UW Medicine communications strategy.

• Develop high quality messaging and materials to address communications needs.
• Play a key role in the design of messaging and materials for high-impact audiences.

• Support the Chief Communications Officer in crisis response related to the School of Medicine.

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

• Bachelor's degree in communications or related field
• Five years of progressive responsibility in communications leadership, preferably serving as the communications head of a large, complex organization

• Experience in communications planning and project management for large-scale projects
• Precise, accurate writing and editing skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills and the sharp attention to detail needed to manage highly visible communications
• Proven track record of successfully prioritizing and managing a large volume of initiatives, projects and content simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Experience measuring and tracking key performance indicators, adhering to tight deadlines, and driving outcome-focused, measurable results
• Change management experience and expertise
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
• Sound judgement and the ability to exercise discretion
• An authentically and consistently good listener
• Exceptional skills in relationship-building and collaboration
• Proven ability to work seamlessly and graciously with peer leaders to align with overarching strategy and reduce duplicative or siloed work; the willingness to defer to systemwide strategy and leaders as needed
• Understanding of and commitment to healthcare equity and inclusive communications practices
• A strategic and resourceful problem-solver; critical thinker
• Strong writer and oral communicator, able to ensure accuracy and excellence in all deliverables
• H…